DUSHANBE, March 19, Asia-Plus  -- Introduction of a 220-kV 93-kilometer power transmission line Lolazor-Khatlon into operation is postponed till late April, Asia-Plus has learned at the Energy Projects Management Unit (PMU).

The source at a PMU said that the postponement had resulted from extreme winter weather that had slowed the construction work.    

We will recall that the Lolazor-Khatlon power grid, which has been constructed by China’s Tebian Electric Apparatus Stock Co., Ltd (TBEA), was supposed to be put into operation this month.     

 We will recall that in April 2006, Barqi Tojik (Tajik electric systems) power holding and TBEA signed contracts for the construction of high-voltage electricity transmission lines in Tajikistan.  They agreed to build the 500-kV, 350-kilometer South-North line, linking power systems of Tajikistan''s southern and northern regions, and a 220-V 93-kilometer line, called the “Lolazor-Khatlon” line, in the Khatlon province. 

A total cost of The Lolazor-Khatlon project is $58 million.  The Chinese side provides $55.1 million in preferential loan, carrying an annual interest of 2 percent, and Tajikistan contributes $2.9 million to the project budget.   The capacity of the Lolazor-Khatlon power grid will be some 4 million kWh of electricity a year and it will allow exporting Tajik electrical power to Afghanistan.